Sister Maren Renda is serving in the Canada Halifax Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Monday, December 1, 2014

No Coincidences

Happy December,

I learned some powerful things this week. Last
Monday, I had a rough day. Finally just before going out to work that
night, I knelt down and pleaded with the Lord to help me. We went out
knocking on this street that we had been trying to get to for weeks. The
name on our map and the actual name of the street were different and so
each time we went out to find the street, we got confused. We finally
figured out the issue and made it to that street that night. As we were
walking along, we came to a track around a soccer field and noticed some
people walking on it. We joined a mother and daughter and started
talking to them as we walked around and around the track. We had a great
conversation and then asked if we could come to their home to teach
them more. The mother declined. After such a good conversation, we felt
taken aback that she would say no. Sister Mangelson asked why and the
woman became emotional. She told us about a struggle she and her family
is facing. The Spirit was so strong as we testified to her about the
Savior and His Atonement. We haven't had contact with them since, but I
keep praying that the Lord will put us in their path again. It was no
coincidence that we made it to that street that night. During our
conversation with them, we asked them how often they came to the track.
The mother said this night was the first time and that her daughter had
been trying to convince her to come to the track with her for weeks. No
wonder we hadn't made it to that street before! God needed us to be
there that night. I know that the Lord answers prayers. He is so aware
of each of us, and He wants to help us. The answers don't always come
when we want them to, but as we go through those periods of darkness or
confusion, it provides a stark contrast to the light that God will pour
into our lives when the time is right. Walking away from the track that
night, I realized the reason why I needed to go through a hard time
earlier that day was that so I could testify with power of the Atonement
from my own personal experience.

I hope that you have a good
week! Christmas festivities are in full swing this week. The branch
starts the nativity display this weekend and I am looking forward to the
missionary opportunities it will provide.

Also, had our first snowfall this week. It's mostly gone now. Other
exciting things from this week. We visit a woman in a manor and she
invited us to come see an accordion band. Quite the experience! One of
the instruments was the ugly stick. Yes, ugly stick. It's a traditional
Newfoundland instrument. She had a name but I don't remember what it is
now. Betty or something.

First Snowfall

The Accordion Band

The Newfoundland Ugly Stick

Me with the ugly stick. I think I need to change instruments! Haha.

If you haven't already, check out the new video that the Church put out for Christmas at christmas.mormon.org. He is the Gift. Christ is the reason. Love is always in season.